From Kashmir ki Kali in the 60s to Kabhie Kabhie in the 70s, and more recently Highway (2014) and Raazi (2018), the Valley has long attracted the Hindi film industry to shoot its movies in the pristine landscape. Now, with the hope of putting the region on the world cinema map, Kashmir is all set to host its first international film festival next month.
Rang-e-Cinema Festival
Rang-e-Cinema, hosted by the J&K government’s Information and Public Relations department, will take place from September 7 to 10. The festival aims to establish Jammu and Kashmir as a “major international destination for cinema, filmmaking, creative collaboration, and cultural exchange.” An official associated with the festival stated,
““The core objective is to rebuild J&K’s historic relationship with cinema. It is also aimed at creating opportunities for local talent, attracting filmmakers, promoting film tourism, and placing Jammu and Kashmir firmly on the global cinematic map.”
Jury and Submissions
The organizers have announced a star-studded five-member jury for the festival, which includes:
- Santosh Sivan - Eminent cinematographer and director
- Resul Pookutty - Sound designer and mixer of Slumdog Millionaire fame
- Dorothee Wenner - German film curator and journalist
- Keiko Bang - Founder and CEO of Bang Singapore
- Himansu Sekhar Khatua - Film director of Shunya Swaroopa fame
